Contact:
Mollie Michel, mmichel@momscleanairforce.org, 718-536-6336
Sasha Tenenbaum, stenenbaum@momscleanairforce.org, 917-887-0146
Washington, DC—Today’s vote in the US House of Representatives to reinstate methane pollution protections is another step toward reversing the climate harm the previous administration has done. Combined with the Senate’s positive vote in April, this congressional action will also help jump-start the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to strengthen a methane rule that protects families and communities from harmful air pollution and climate change.
In response to today’s House vote, Moms Clean Air Force issued the following quotes:
“The previous administration’s moves to eliminate vital methane pollution safeguards caused harm to the most vulnerable communities, particularly Black, Latino, Indigenous people, and low-income rural communities. As an Indigenous mother with asthma, concerned about how pollution from oil and gas operations harms my health and my children’s future, today’s action by the House of Representatives will help me, and many in my community, breathe easier,” said Shaina Oliver, mother of four children, member of the Navajo Nation, and Moms Clean Air Force field organizer in Denver, Colorado.
“Climate change is here, and it’s already harming West Virginians, our livelihood, and our way of life. Methane emissions from oil and gas operations are a significant contributor to the climate crisis,” said Leah Barbor, mother of two and West Virginia field organizer for Moms Clean Air Force. “I am heartened at today’s move by the House of Representatives to reinstate methane rules to help stabilize the climate for our families and future generations.”
“In my township just outside of Pittsburgh, a well pad with eight gas wells has been fracked in a populated residential area, which means there are houses, children, parks, daycare centers, assisted living facilities, and schools located nearby,” said Vanessa Lynch, mother of two children and Moms Clean Air Force field organizer living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Methane and toxic volatile organic compounds leak where oil and gas is drilled, compressed, and processed, putting the health of families like mine at risk. I am pleased to see Congress prioritizing the health and future of America’s kids by moving to reinstate federal methane rules.”
“Rural and urban Georgians are experiencing the impacts of climate change right now, especially when it comes to extreme heat. Our state currently averages about 20 dangerous heat days a year, but by 2050, we are projected to see more than 90 such days annually,” said Almeta Cooper, Moms Clean Air Force field organizer living in Atlanta, Georgia. “Methane is a major contributor to the climate crisis, threatening the future of those living both near and far from oil and gas operations, and causing disproportionate harm to communities of color. As a Georgian, a mom, and a Black woman, I strongly support Congress’ move to reinstate federal methane safeguards to protect vulnerable communities and help us achieve justice in every breath.”
“Each year, the oil and gas industry releases millions of tons of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—and other harmful pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air our families breathe, posing a serious threat to public health and worsening the climate crisis. Moms across the country are heartened to see that Congress recognizes the need for strong safeguards to address this pollution problem,” said Patrice Tomcik, National Field Manager and Oil and Gas Specialist for Moms Clean Air Force, whose children attend school near fracked gas wells in southwestern Pennsylvania. “Now, children all across the country—including my own—are depending on EPA and the Biden administration to move swiftly on an even more protective rule to cut methane pollution 65% by 2025. We look forward to working with EPA to ensure they enact the strongest protections possible to protect the health and future of our children.”
RESOURCES:
- On April 28, Molly Rauch, Public Health Policy Director for Moms Clean Air Force, spoke at Majority Leader Schumer’s press conference on methane pollution. Find our images from the press conference here. To publish any images, please follow the simple directions found in the image description.
- Read our press statement on the Senate vote on reinstating methane pollution protections here.
- Read National Field Manager Patrice Tomcik’s recent op-ed on the importance of methane pollution standards in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Find our fact sheet on methane and children’s health here.